Will this nanny drive me mad?

Interviewed a possible new nanny yesterday for our 2-day per week position - fab qualifications, glowing referencces, got straight down low to play with our 2yr old, definitely knows her stuff, DS seemed keen... so far so good.. but..

.. she talks 9-to-the-dozen. Took my 2 hours to get her out of the house. Also enormous beaming headlight (quite scary) smile and 'I'm on coke' wide-open eyes (IYSWIM- just their natural expression, not really on drugs). Won't be a prob for the next couple of months as we'll only see her for 10 mins at the start/end of each day, but after that I'm on maternity leave for a few months. Will it turn into a 'hormonal mother strangles loquacious nanny' DM headline?

She might have been nervous/ trying to impress you? I talk quickly and waffle when I'm nervous - parent's evening is a nightmare my dp always has to remind me when I'm waffling otherwise the teacher would never get a word in or see any other parents I can't help it and don't realise I'm doing it.

It's always the desperation that drives people into choosing the wrong nanny when they know it's the wrong choice... and it causes so much stress later. You have the luxury of choice now. Think calmly: if you had 10 others to choose from, would you pick this one? Will the chatting (assuming it is normal behaviour) irritate you to the point where it might harm your relationship? for eg I really value my own time and peace and space, and would hate to have to listen to someone chatting for more than necessary when I get home after a day's work. I would eventually consider that an invasion of my space.

Does what she says sound sensible? - funny question, but really: is she a rambler, or does she just have lots of enthusiasm & lots of ideas? Was her chatting engaging with you, or was it talking AT you?

If she has lots of interests and enthusiasms and was responding to what you're saying, but just isn't very good at boiling down what she has to say, then I would say go for it. And make sure that you put her in touch with dozens of other local nannies so that she gets adequate chatting room - we always loved it when we had friendly nannies, making an equally friendly gang of little charges.

But if she was rambling and not engaging with you, or in any way making you uncomfortable (as opposed to ears-hurting), then of course don't!

so funny LoveMyGirls, I do exactly the same thing at parents evenings because I am nervous.. and when I am I talk a lot.

Think you should reconsider, after all when you are communicating with small children you do exagerate both speech and gestures and your voice gets higher.. I sing the Wheels on the bus and do all the actions with mindees but I wouldnt do that down the pub in adult company.. well only if pissed...

She may assume 'child mode' during work time which can be annoying for adults but great for your child.

so funny LoveMyGirls, I do exactly the same thing at parents evenings because I am nervous.. and when I am I talk a lot.

Think you should reconsider, after all when you are communicating with small children you do exagerate both speech and gestures and your voice gets higher.. I sing the Wheels on the bus and do all the actions with mindees but I wouldnt do that down the pub in adult company.. well only if pissed...

She may assume 'child mode' during work time which can be annoying for adults but great for your child.